Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1887-09-08
THE LUSCIOUS BIVALYE
Oystermen at Work in Mau-
rice River Cove.

f''Heave no, heave ho.' sang out the
oystermen on September first at Long
Reach, as hand over hand they pulled
on the ropes which raised the great,
white sails that had been snugly tied
about the booms of the different yes
sells which were lying on the placid
waters Of Maurice River
On the previous night the boats were
made fast to one another in the river
near Long Reach. and so numerous
and close together were their masts
that they greatly resembled forest
of bare trees. Lights hung here and
there, and, as the boats danced up
and down on the swells that came in
from the bay, made a very pretty
scene. The cool weather was death to
mosquitoes, making life on the craft
unusually pleasant. Brown faced cap
tains sat upon the decks of their ves-
sells, smoked their pipes, and talked of
the work which was to commence on
the morrow. After eleven o'clock not
oOuAu Woo AcoiN, clu tde DOdtS
rocked their crews to sleep in their
hunks. But the silence was not for
| long. Hours before the sun had
thought of rising, the sound of men
walking on the decks, and the rattle
| of the boats tackle were distinguish
able, and before sunrise the boats
were silently moving down the river.
As the moments sped on, boat after
| boat followed, and in an hour per-
feet procession was filing toward the
cove. The cooks of the various craft
| commenced preparations for the morn
ing meal, and the captains E~sse at
their tillers.
In a short time the boats reached
the open bay, where they separated,
each going to their own grounds.
Then came the clatter of chains,
splash, and the heavy iron dredges
+ While the dealers are endeavoring
to buy of nearly everyone who has
oysters for sale, the chances are in
favor of our oystermen having good
year: Some of the Chesapeakes laid
sank deep in the water for the first
haul. Strong hands grasp the crank
Of the winder, and the dredge filed
| with oysters is hauled in The bi,
valves are dumped on the deck, and
the dredge is sent back on the same
errand. This process is repeated until
load is obtained, when they return
to Long Reach. The crew are kept
busy culling oysters; that is, sorting
the large from the small, and the good
from the bad.
The arrival at Long Reach is made
and the load of oysters is emptied into
| floats with foot or more of water in
them. Here the oysters are cleaned
from the mud and after lying there
during the night, are ready fct the
shipper.
! They are shoveled into the baskets
and thrown to the wharf where the
shipper puts them in sacks, sews
them up, puts on tag, and ships them
by rail to various points to market
Long Reach in season is busy place
To those who do not know what the
place is, word of explanation will en-
tighten. 1t is long wharf on the
! Maurice river about one mile from
1 Port Norris. All along the wharf are
buildings occupied by shippers anda
store keepers. The stores are well'
stocked with all manner of goods.
likely to be needed by the crews
of the hundreds of boats which daily
reach the wharf. At all times this
place presents a busy appearance,
The shippers are active and the store
/ keepers hurrying to fill the orders to
stock vessel which is going out to
the bay. A restaurant then does a good
business, all Of the shippers and assist
ants boarding there. Cars from the
Cumberland & Maurice River Railroad
are run directly to the doors of the
shippers, and the telephone wires also
connect it with the rest of the world
Oysters are fair. Some are excellent,
while others are not so good. AS the
season advances, the quality is ex
pected to improve, and the oystermen
predict fairly successful season. The
first of the Maurice River Cove oysters
reached this city to-day, and are pretty
good tasting, perhaps too milky for the
| fastidious. But ere the winter is over
our people will be delighted with the
excellent taste of the luscious bivalve.
May the season bear fruit for the
oystermen. rs
The name of Editor Wilbur, of the
Prohibitionist, has been mentioned as a
candidate for legislative honors from
this District this Fall, at the hands of
the Third party. s
I "A Go1sfnrs,sa xuoupon has SMNd for a